A newborn baby girl who was allegedly abandoned shortly after birth has been rescued alive from a forest in Wuese community, Konshisha Local Government Area of Benue State.
The infant was reportedly discovered inside a carton at Ashar Forest on Saturday by a resident, Mrs Mbakasev Yisa, who heard sounds coming from the abandoned carton.
The baby, believed to have spent about three days in the forest, was said to have been wrapped in clothes and placed inside the carton. Witnesses said maggots were found around her body and that the carton gave off a foul smell when she was discovered.
Yisa reportedly alerted the police outpost in the area, following which officers visited the scene, documented the incident and advised that the child be taken to a medical facility.
A councillor representing the area, Terkumbur Gabriel Mbaukaan, also visited the scene and joined efforts to secure urgent medical attention for the newborn.
He said the first clinic they approached was unable to admit the baby because of her critical condition, forcing them to move her to Dooshima Clinic in Wuese, where she was eventually admitted for treatment.
The youth leader of Wuese community, Udigi Waya, also confirmed the rescue and said the baby may have been abandoned in the forest for approximately three days before she was found.
However, the Benue State Police Command said it had not received any official report about the incident.
The Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Peter Aondongu, said he contacted the Divisional Police Officer in Konshisha, who also said he was unaware of the incident.
The circumstances surrounding the abandonment of the newborn and the identity of the person responsible remain unknown.
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